Local Builds vs. EAS Cloud: When to Use Which?

When you look at your terminal history, you can compile your app in two very distinct ways using EAS:

1. Cloud: eas build --platform ios --profile production
2. Local: eas build --platform ios --profile production --local

Both commands yield a production-ready .ipa or .aab file. But one runs on a remote server farm, while the other spins up your laptop fans until they sound like a jet engine. Why should you choose one over the other? Let’s break down the technical trade-offs.

Why You Should Build Locally (The Local Advantage)

Building locally means compiling the code right on your own hardware (like a MacBook or a dedicated mini-server). Here is why this route is incredibly powerful:

• Zero Queue Times: The free EAS cloud tier places you in a shared public queue. During peak developer hours, you might wait 15 to 30 minutes just for your build to start. Local builds execute instantly the second you hit enter.
• Bypassing Internet Bandwidth Limits: A cloud build requires uploading your entire packed project to Expo's servers. If you are working on a connection with slow upload speeds, uploading a project packed with assets can take forever. A local build stays right where it is.
• Infinite Free Builds: You are completely limited by your own hardware. You can build 50 binaries a day without worrying about resource credits or billing thresholds.

Why You Must Consider the Cloud (The Cloud Advantage)

Despite the convenience of local builds, the cloud version is often the safest, most reliable bet for production. Here is why:

• The Shared Vault Security: Cloud builds read variables straight from your cloud dashboard (eas env). Local builds strictly obey your .gitignore, meaning you must constantly ensure your .env.local files are perfectly in sync or risk compiling an app with missing or completely blank environment variables.
• Cross-Platform Independence: You cannot compile a native iOS .ipa file on a Windows machine. If you are building cross-platform apps and don't own an expensive Mac mini server to handle iOS code signing, the EAS cloud is your only viable path forward.
• Clean Slate Reproducibility: Your local machine accumulates configuration cruft over time. A cloud build runs on a sterile, standardized virtual machine instance. If a cloud build passes, you know with 100% certainty that your code is globally reproducible.

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